Antiseptic and germicide attachment for telephones.



No. 634,933. Patented 001. I7, I899.

A. E. WOULF.

ANTISEPTIC AND GERM ICIDE ATTACHMENT FOR TELEPHONES.

(Application filed Mar. 16, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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ALBERT E. TV OOLF, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ANTISEPTIC AND GERMICIDE ATTACHMENT FORTELEPHONES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 634,933, dated October 17, 1899.

' Application filed March 16,1899. $e1lalNO. 709,251. on model.)

To ttZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. \VOOLF, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Antiseptic and Germicide Attachments for Telephones; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an attachment for the receiver or mouthpiece of a telephone, speaking-tube, or similar device to prevent the propagation of disease-germs and to destroy bacteria.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective device in the nature of a cover having means for attachingit to a mouthpiece and a receptacle for the antiseptic and germicide, whereby'the existence of germs by which disease could be communicated to persons using a telephone will be prevented.

In carrying out my invention I provide a solid cover hinged to a clip or spring-band and having on its inner surface a receptacle for a germicide liquid and absorbent material as I will now more fully describe by reference to the accompanyin g drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a mouthpiece with the cover closed. Fig. 2 represents a side View of a mouthpiece with the cover open, showing a germicide-liquid receptacle and its holder applied to the inside of the cover. Fig. 3 represents a sectional view of the same with the cover closed.

To the mouthpiece A of a telephone or speaking-tube is applied my solid cover 13, having the germicide receptacle and holder secured to its inner side. The cover Bis connected by a hinge e to the clip or spring-band E. This clip or spring-band is made of the proper size to slip over and closely embrace the end of the mouthpiece, so that it will be securely retained in place. The cover is provided at the edge opposite the hinge with a spring-catch b for holding it closed when desired. To the inner side of the cover is secured the holder 1), open at the top for receiving a wide-mouth bottle or other receptacle 0, having inserted in its mouth or neck the sponge or other absorbent material 0'. A powerful germicide liquid will be placed in the bottle 0, which may be occasionally in verted or shaken, so as to saturate the absorbent c with such liquid.

I use a germicide liquid which will evaporate and give off vapors which quickly de stroy all bacteria or disease-germs, and thus prevent the propagation of such germs and the communication of disease to persons using the telephone.

The cover and receptacle may be made of metal, hard rubber, celluloid, or other suitable material.

When the telephone or speaking-tube is used, the cover B is turned backward upon its hinge and when out of use the cover is closed and held by the spring-catch b, so as to retain the germicide-vapors in the mouthpiece. The germicide used is non-poisonous and perfectly-harmless and would be beneficial to the user of the telephone.

By placing the germicide liquid in the bot tle or like receptacle 0 and the absorbent material 0 in the neck or mouth of such receptacle the liquid is prevented from evaporating so rapidly as to cause waste; but the vapors are allowed to gradually escape in sufficient quantity to completely sterilize and destroy all germs which might find their way into the mouthpiece. The liquid is also kept from dripping and soiling the mouthpiece, as

would be the case if a gauze or other absorbent fabric were used as a diaphragm.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An attachment to a telephone consisting of a movable cover having applied to its inner side a receptacle for a germicide, and a germicide or antiseptic contained therein, whereby, when the telephone is in use, the receptacle and germicide may be removed from the opening of the mouthpiece and when not in use the cover may be closed upon the mouthpiece, substantially as described.

2. The combination with the mouthpiece of a telephone, speaking-tube, or like device,

of a movable or removable front or cover, micide-1iquid receptacle provided with anabhaving secured to its inner side a holder b sorbent material, substantially as described. 10

and a receptacle as a bottle 0 for an antisep- In testimony whereof I affix my signature tie and germieide, substantially as described. in presence of two Witnesses.

5 3. A removable cover for the mouthpiece ALBERT E. WOOLF.

of a telephone, speaking-tube or like device, lVitnesses: having means for attaching it to the month- I JAMES A. ROBINSON,

piece, and having applied to its inside a ger- I A. HEIDEMAN. 

